Donovan, the career scoring leader for the U.S. national team, plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Major League Soccer team missed the playoffs.

Donovan acknowledged this could lead to a more permanent arrangement.

"If January rolls around and there's interest, and the league is willing to discuss it, I would be excited to talk about it," Donovan said on his Web site.

Donovan had an unsuccessful attempt to break through in Germany's top league when he was under contract to Bayer Leverkusen from 2001-05. He played in seven Bundesliga games.

"He is a great guy, a very good player and a big personality in U.S. football," Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann said on the club's Web site Tuesday.

Klinsmann knows Donovan from when he worked with the Galaxy. Donovan was pleased Klinsmann and Bayern gave him a chance to "keep fit alongside great international players."

Donovan understands the complications of a possible jump to Europe.

"The unfortunate part about the soccer world in that sense is that it isn't up to me. There are a lot of issues with the league and with the Galaxy also," he said.

"Obviously, if I was in the Galaxy's position I wouldn't be totally for it. But in my situation I would love to go, and if the opportunity comes and the league and the Galaxy are cooperative and willing to work with me, I think it would be fun. We'll see what happens."